Weekend Preview (12/23-25) – International: Piotr Beczala and Nino Machaidze Celebrate the Holidays in Two Different Productions of “La Boheme’

This weekend is a time to celebrate and to get into the Christmas spirit. And that is exactly what all the opera companies are doing. The weekend will see works by Mozart, Puccini, Humperdinck and Verdi presented. Many of the world’s most famous are on vacation but there are still stars ready to sing including Piotr Beczala, Rene Pape, Nino {…}

Metropolitan Opera 2016-17 Preview: Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ Returns For Holiday Run

Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” returns to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera on Tuesday at 7:30 for a run of seven performances. The Opera Mozart’s last opera premiered on Sept. 30, 1791 at Schikaneder’s theatre, two months before the composer’s untimely death. Originally titled “Die Zauberflote” and sung in German, the work has been a popular fixture among younger audiences {…}

Weekend Preview (12/16-18) – International: Anna Netrebko Returns to ‘Macbeth’ and Renee Fleming Opens ‘Der Rosenkavalier’

The weekend is upon us and that means many operas will be presented around the world. Many theaters will offer holiday presentations while some of the greatest singers return to the stage such as Renee Fleming, Simon Keenlyside, Rolando Villazon, Anna Netrebko, Rene Pape and Nina Stemme. Austria  Simon Keenlyside returns to the Vienna State Opera for Verdi’s “Macbeth” with the {…}

Teatro alla Scala Opening Night 2016-17: Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, Diana Damrau Featured in 5 Memorable La Scala Inaugurations of Last 10 Years

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the legendary Teatro all Scala opens its 2016-17 season with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The opera stars rising star Maria Jose Siri, Bryan Hymel and Carlos Alvarez and is led by music director Riccardo Chailly. The opening continues La Scala’s tradition of inaugurating the season on Dec. 7 and continues Chailly’s Puccini cycle, which he began back {…}